Ixaris, Sabre boost payment options for online travel agents

PaymentsSource | December 13, 2019

Payments application provider Ixaris is partnering with global travel marketplace provider Sabre to expand into new markets across Europe. The Ixaris payment technology will be available through Sabre Virtual Payments, which travel buyers will use to streamline payments and avoid extra fees when paying airlines or hotels. Sabre provides a global distribution network of airlines and hotels for online travel agencies. The partnership first focuses on Europe, but it will help fuel Ixaris plans to enter into the Americas and Asia Pacific markets in the future.

Spotlight

Paired with changing workforce dynamics, contact centers are coping with issues such as economic uncertainty, customer vulnerability, an increase in global compliance regulations and ongoing pandemic-related disruptions —
from the supply chain to employee health concerns. A perfect storm of external factors have led to higher interaction volumes and more complex customer conversations.

Spotlight

Paired with changing workforce dynamics, contact centers are coping with issues such as economic uncertainty, customer vulnerability, an increase in global compliance regulations and ongoing pandemic-related disruptions —
from the supply chain to employee health concerns. A perfect storm of external factors have led to higher interaction volumes and more complex customer conversations.

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COMMERCIAL TRAVEL

Travelport Acquires Deem for Furthering Investment in Innovation

Travelport | March 13, 2023

Travelport, a global technology company for travel, has recently acquired Deem for further investment in innovation to modernize the retailing and corporate travel sector. This acquisition would improve Deem's speed to market and allow seamless integration of multi-source content. Deem is a modern technology solutions provider for the corporate travel industry and previously worked under Enterprise Holdings, a mobility solutions provider. It has a suite of online booking and travel technology products designed especially for business travelers, travel managers, travel-management companies and suppliers. It is making the corporate travel experience more efficient for all. It is entitled as one of the 'Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies of 2022'. It aims to continue growth in its share of the corporate travel business, and the Travelport's investment is further increasing that growth at a global level. Travelport is an established NDC leader and launched the end-to-end solution for American Airlines' NDC content. It plans to enhance its position with the swift technical integration of Deem company. It will avail Deem of the NDC offers, products and services. The NDC content is important for travel agencies, corporations and travelers, particularly those in North America. Currently, North American airlines are shifting some content exclusively to NDC. CEO of Travelport, Greg Webb said, "The game-changing acquisition of Deem by Travelport will fulfill a growing, post-pandemic need for a tight, fully-integrated corporate tool that will provide access to all multi-source content, including NDC." He added, "We've been laser-focused on investing in technology innovation, and Travelport+ has simplified the agency workflow, upgraded how travel content is curated, and enabled modern travel retailing. Now with the acquisition of Deem, Travelport will provide corporate travel with award-winning, complementary tools that are as revolutionary, modern, and easy-to-use as Travelport+." (Source – Cision PR Newswire) About Travelport Headquartered in Langley, Berkshire, Travelport, an information technology and services provider for travel, offers solutions for technology, travel commerce, travel, distribution, payment, airlines, travel agents, online travel agencies, travel management companies, corporate travel, B2B, cloud, search, business intelligence, data, and travel industry. It has been working as a worldwide travel retail platform since 1971. Its huge marketplace, Travelport+, connects buyers to sellers for exceptional travel experience and modern digital retailing. It is an independent platform providing solutions for complex travel ecosystems through innovation. It supports bookings of travel suppliers worldwide.

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DESTINATION AND TOURISM, INDUSTRY OUTLOOK

Outdoorsy Selects UJET to Power Customer Service Operations

Outdoorsy | February 16, 2023

On February 15, 2023, UJET, Inc., an innovative contact center platform, announced that Outdoorsy has chosen UJET as the core of its customer service operations. Outdoorsy is the world's most reliable marketplace for on-demand RV rentals and outdoor travel. Therefore, it required a contact center solution to match its stellar reputation for excellent service and prompt response, keep up with its rapid expansion, and provide the necessary data insights to anticipate shifting consumer trends. Outdoorsy selected UJET because of its usability, rapid scalability, and cloud platform's dependability, which is backed by CX Intercloud's 100% uptime guarantee. The company recently surpassed $2 billion in total transactions, making it one of the fastest-growing and biggest marketplace startups and private companies on the a16z Marketplace 100 List. Due to its success and the seasonal nature of an outdoor hospitality business, such as RV rentals, Outdoorsy's customer service experiences significant spikes in demand. Therefore, the organization required a contact center solution adaptable to adjust and maintain optimal service levels rapidly. Additionally, the COVID pandemic increased the demand for novel travel options during the summer of 2021. Outdoorsy utilized the scalability of UJET's cloud platform to add several new agents as the summer rush started smoothly and to scale operations back to normal as the travel surge subsided. Accurate, real-time reporting became crucial as it expanded rapidly with new agents and customers. Advanced reporting and analytics from UJET provide Outdoorsy with a clear view of customer satisfaction, team performance, and the overall quality of its customer experience, allowing the company to make necessary adjustments in real-time and continuously improve its operations. In addition, UJET delivers Outdoorsy the vital business intelligence it needs to optimize contact center performance and put customers first through its comprehensive reporting and custom dashboards. About Outdoorsy Headquartered in Austin, Texas,Outdoorsy revolutionized outdoor access by introducing its RV rental marketplace in 2015. By working together, the company and its hosts have contributed to over 5 million days of booked travel through RV rentals in 4,800 cities across the United States and Canada. Its hospitality ecosystem offers RV owners life-changing financial benefits and gives guests the trust and guidance they need to create unforgettable travel experiences. The company's team is motivated by a mission to restore the connection to the outdoors and each other by assisting guests to 'Bring The Outside In.'

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TRAVEL TECHNOLOGY

Canada Jetlines' Seat Inventory Opens for Sabre-connected Travel Agent

Canada Jetlines | March 08, 2023

Canada Jetlines, an airline and aviation company, has recently confirmed that travel agents in Canada can access its seat inventory for booking and viewing through the Sabre Global Distribution System, increasing its geographic reach and targeting new leisure traveler segments. Sabre Corporation is a worldwide software and technology solutions provider dedicated to the travel industry. It could sell Canada Jetlines' seat inventory for its subscribers. With Sabre's global marketplace, Canada Jetlines would increase its geographic reach and target new leisure traveler segments. In addition, it will provide travel agents with more options for optimal client experiences. It has announced new markets in Melbourne/Orlando, Florida, Las Vegas and Cancun, Mexico. These markets would begin operations in February and March 2023, respectively. Flights booking are available on jetlines.com or contact the travel agency. It will operate this network with a fleet of Airbus A320 aircraft. Canada Jetlines' Chief Commercial Officer, Duncan Bureau said, "We are excited to be able to distribute our seats through Sabre's extensive global marketplace." He added, "Canada Jetlines has built strong relationships with the Travel Agency community who will benefit from the ease of booking flights and vacations within the Sabre environment. The airline is looking forward to adding more markets and partners across North America, Mexico, and the Caribbean." (Source – Business Wire) VP and Regional General Manager - North America, Sabre Travel Solutions, John Bailey said, "Sabre is pleased Canada Jetlines has chosen to distribute its content through the Sabre global marketplace." He added, "We look forward to supporting Canada Jetlines' ambitious growth objectives and making the airline's content available to the hundreds of thousands of travel agents using Sabre around the world." (Source – Business Wire) About Canada Jetlines Headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada Jetlines, an airline with a value-focused leisure carrier, utilizes a growing fleet of Airbus A320 aircraft for more travel options to preferred locations within the U.S., Caribbean, and Mexico. It has been connecting with travel agencies for transformation and convenience in the air travel industry since 2021. With an experienced team and efficient aircraft design, it provides cost-effective and competitive flight options to the Canadian market and beyond. With a state-of-the-art web booking platform, it makes turnkey solutions available to travel agents, tour operators, and consumers. In addition, it generates revenue from reservations and ancillary sales.

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